Scandinavian Air Routes Experience 1.2 Million Seat Reduction Due to Airspace Closures: SAS Investigation

Scandinavian Airlines revealed the results of an investigation indicating that the number of seats available for flights to and from Scandinavia has decreased by 1.2 million due to airspace closures.

The direct reason cited is the closure of airspace over Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, with geopolitical instability in Asia and the Middle East also contributing indirectly.

These restrictions have disproportionately impacted European airlines, resulting in a greater decrease in passenger numbers compared to airlines that are able to fly over Russia. For example, detouring around Russian airspace increases flight time by 2 hours on the Copenhagen-Shanghai route. This leads to increased fuel consumption, decreased aircraft and crew efficiency, and reduced cargo capacity.

While Scandinavian Airlines does not intend to operate direct flights to China this year, Chinese airlines continue to expand. Airlines impacted by airspace restrictions still experience a significant decrease in passenger numbers. The Copenhagen-Seoul/Incheon route, set to open in September, can maintain competitiveness as all airlines face the same operational conditions.

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